It appears another chapter in the feud between the residents of Jewett Lake and Long Lake could be in the drafting stage.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Rural Minnesota spent the spring and summer of the coronavirus pandemic seeing only a slow trickle of cases but recent data shows that, while urban areas have been able to reign the virus in, rural counties are now seeing a faster, more serious spread.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s (M State) Fergus Falls campus celebrated their homecoming and the 60th anniversary of the opening of their campus this past week in an unconventional way.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Councilman Brent Thompson floated an appealing notion at Wednesday morning’s Committee of the Whole session.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Get tested for COVID-19. It is free and open to everyone with or without symptoms. Testing will be held at the Fergus Falls Armory (412 E. Cecil Avenue) on Wednesday November 4 from 2:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. and Thursday November 5 from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please sign up for an appointment tim…
The Fergus Falls School District was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health of a lab confirmed case of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in a member of the Cleveland School community with an exposure date of Oct. 21.
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On Saturday, area residents gathered on the steps of Fergus Falls City Hall, displaying solidarity for U.S. President Donald Trump, law enforcement, the military, veterans, first responders, medical personnel, First and Second Amendment rights, pro-life, and respect for the national flag.
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With the COVID-19 pandemic still prevalent with mask mandates and social distancing firmly in place, the Fergus Falls community has banded together to provide a larger number of safe options for families celebrating Halloween this year. In addition to the steady number of church-affiliated t…
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The Fergus Falls Veterans Home will be going green thanks to a $100,000 matching appropriation from the Legislature.
The final exhibit for 2020 at the Evansville Art Center will feature two student artists from this area.
Minnesota is proud to offer free at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for people who believe they need to be tested, with or without symptoms. Otter Tail County residents will now be able to order a saliva test online, to perform in the comfort of their own home. These tests are available in sele…
Fergus Falls-based singer/songwriter Crystal Lemmer is taking a big step in her career this month by signing on with Iowa-based label group 32South. She’ll be headed to Nashville, Tennessee, this December to record her first EP featuring five songs written by Lemmer.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Stephanie Retzlaff is a seasoned employee of Otter Tail County, working as their human resources professional for the past 13 years, where she tackles a wide variety of challenges with respect and professionalism, no matter what the situation. Daily Journal Media visited with Retzlaff about …
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce that Sign Guys, a graphics business that launched Jan. 1, has partnered with 4T Creative and Lake & Home Magazine to enhance their service offerings to their growing client base. The origin of Sign Guys is a convergence of creative, desig…
With the general election coming up Tuesday, Nov. 3, Otter Tail County citizens are looking to cast their vote for their respective candidates. Here is what you need to know for voting in the county.
Father William “Bill” Gamber, a priest in Fergus Falls, shared with the community his passion for history and ministry. Though he passed away on Saturday, at the age of 91, he will be remembered by the many who knew him as a friendly, genuine and caring member of the Fergus Falls community.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The threat of returning to a distance learning model for all District 544 students could not curb the enthusiasm of food services director Lance Wells Monday in the Kennedy Secondary School media center.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Schools have been back in session in one form or another for almost two months now and the United States is set on a third wave of cases, with Otter Tail County seeing an uptick in cases this month.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
In October 2006, Wendy Erlandson’s life took an unexpected turn when she received a breast cancer diagnosis even though she only had a single aunt in her family previously diagnosed.
What started with a wagon full of extra pumpkins has certainly grown in the past 10 years. In 2010, Mike, Brenda and Thea Olson put a wagon of extra pumpkins across from their driveway with a “for sale” sign on them, today they have a full-blown pumpkin patch, complete with corn maze.
Junior Leader Workshop (JLW) -“4-H: The Next Level” was held Oct. 15 at Faith Haven Camp near Battle Lake. This camp is designed to inspire and enable each participant to uncover unique abilities, develop greater confidence and master strategies for success as a leader in their 4-H program.…
The Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) Workforce Development Solutions (WDS) is currently offering an incumbent worker training program at little to no cost to the applying business through Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) Inc. This grant provide…
Caution has been the watchword in District 544 over the past two weeks as COVID-19 cases in Otter Tail County have crept upward.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Due to the recent winter storm, area schools, businesses and other facilities have closed or altered hours. Here are the recent announcements with potential updates to follow.
Due to inclement weather, the Fergus Falls Public Schools are closed today, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.
City Bakery in downtown Fergus Falls closed at the end of 2017 and, so far, no brick and mortar bakery has come to fill in the space the bakery has left behind. While grocery stores like Service Food Market and Walmart have bakeries with cakes, cookies and more, and restaurants like Dairy Qu…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
A procedural investigation by the Minnesota Department of Corrections related to the suicide of Derek John Sweere is currently underway according to Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office Lt. James Stewart.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Hunters in the 213 and 273 area blocks are being asked this year to voluntarily submit samples of their deer for chronic wasting disease testing. One case of CWD was detected late in 2019 at a deer farm in Douglas County prompting the Department of Natural Resources to set up a surveillance …
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The two drivers involved in a head-on collision during a snowstorm Tuesday morning on County Highway 88 northwest of Fergus Falls suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Fergus Falls branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted a debate for state candidates this past Monday. The debate sought to address issues the AAUW, a group that works to advance equity for women and girls, is particularly concerned with including gender equali…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
There will be an open house of “The Rock,” at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. “The Rock” is an addition to the ministry in our area in the form of a new recreation/gathering/exercise space. There is a gathering space for coffee and conversation, and…
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) is pleased to announce that Tremolo Designs, a full service residential design and construction management company serving the Otter Tail County area, launched September 1st. From the initial design phase through project completion, Tremolo Designs is dedicated to …
Every Oct. 1 is the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “One in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. One in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime,” shared…
The County Highway 41 bridge at Star Lake near Dent was set on fire in September. Upon survey of the bridge by engineers, additional safety measures have been put in place. The weight restrictions for the bridge are 14 tons for conventional vehicles and 22 tons for semi-trailers. The detour …
The Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council (FFDRC) announced today a new campaign to encourage random acts of kindness through their #COVIDKINDNESSFF initiative. Nominations will be accepted from Oct. 19-31.
Members of the Invest in Minnesota Coalition applauded legislators Thursday, for passing a bill to conform to Section 179 expensing. Section 179 of the federal tax code dictates when businesses can deduct the cost of purchasing certain equipment. In 2019, Minnesota conformed to some federal …
On Saturday at 1 p.m. a “patriotic” gathering will be held on the lawn of Fergus Falls City Hall, 112 W. Washington Ave., to show support for the president and the flag, honor law enforcement, the military, and veterans, support First and Second Amendment rights, defend religious freedom lib…
Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living Inc., invites people to join them as they honor their volunteers, people who stand up for disability rights, and employers who are supporters of employing people with disabilities. This year, the annual awards event will be held virtually. This…
This Friday jazz violinist Christian Howes will be performing a free virtual concert for A Center for the Arts (AC4TA). Howes will be performing a set specially tailored for a Fergus Falls audience from a theater in Ohio, though anyone nationwide can tune in to watch for free. “Fergus Falls …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of County Highway 88 and 180th Street two miles northwest of Fergus Falls required Fergus Falls firemen to use the Jaws of Life in extracting victims of the crash. The accident occurred shortly
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, volunteers gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church to raise funds in support of local law enforcement. A month after Rev. John Christensen came up with the idea, a gym full of volunteers assembled meals in to-go containers using food that was entirely donated by local merc…
Local nonprofit West Central Initiative (WCI) has partnered with local artist Naomi Schliesman to create a reusable community engagement kit that encourages active transportation and supports the WCI Safe Routes to School programming.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Tails were wagging Monday night as a business subsidy hearing for Companion Health Properties LLC led to a Fergus Falls City Council resolution approving an agreement and a $200,000 Minnesota Investment Fund loan.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Sid Hartman, who chronicled Minnesota sports for decades for the Star Tribune and WCCO radio, has died at age 100.
An inmate at the Otter Tail County Jail in Fergus Falls was pronounced dead after a routine check by jail staff found the individual unresponsive.
Greetings!
Election Day is Nov. 3, only a little more than two weeks away. COVID-19 hasn’t changed much about the process of voting, although many people are choosing to vote early or vote by mail instead of going to the polls on Tuesday.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
A troublesome water issue raised its ugly head Wednesday night as a conditional-use permit (CUP) application by the Jewett Lake Association came before the Otter Tail County Planning Commission for the first time since 2011.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Should I get tested? Where can I get tested? What do I do if I test positive? What if the test is negative, do I still have to quarantine? During these uncertain times we all have questions about what to do surrounding COVID-19 symptoms and testing. Otter Tail County Public Health is here to…
1910 Siphouse, a cidery outside of Battle Lake, held its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 3. The craft cidery is owned and operated by Jeff and Karen Lees, who relocated from Colorado after many years of running an eyeglasses store. Karen is from Fergus Falls, so the couple is not unfamiliar …
Tamra Jokela has been awarded the 2020 Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award. The Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award was developed in 2015 by the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) to recognize Minnesota county and tribal child welfare supervisors and front-line workers …
This year has been a big one for changes. From COVID-19 to the protests around the country, the events of 2020 have brought to the fore a number of issues and challenges facing the United States, one of which is how groups have been marginalized and underrepresented and the damage that lack …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
In the midst of a pandemic and with cold and flu season looming, a little extra protection can go a long way to provide peace of mind in keeping your staff and your customers healthy. Enter Erin and Randy Halvorson, owners of Lake Shore Services, a local landscaping company. After learning a…
Don Shaw will be bringing big-time race car drivers to Fergus Falls July 17, 2021 when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series makes their first stop at I-94 Sure Step Speedway.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Atlanta Falcons have closed their team facility in Georgia due to at least one confirmed case of COVID-19, just days before the team is scheduled to play in Minneapolis.
As flocks of geese are taking to the skies to head south for the winter, so too are local “snowbirds” preparing to take off for summer homes in warmer climates. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a slump in air travel this year, with five airlines declaring bankruptcy or closing since March, d…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
On Monday Underwood Public Schools transitioned from Safe Learning Model 1 to Model 2, a hybrid learning model.
Susan Brower, Minnesota’s State Demographer, urged Minnesotans to answer the 2020 US Census during the final day of the response period.
In response to a steadily growing demand for COVID-19 testing, Lake Region Healthcare and Prairie Ridge Healthcare (LRH and PRH) have extended their hours for drivethrough COVID-19 testing and increased the number of test swabbing appointments available, according to LRH Chief Nursing Office…
The Viking Library System Executive Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:15 p.m.